wanting to buy a new 2016 Tradesman

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hardknocks

Junior Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2016
Posts
15
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Ram Year
2016
Engine
cummins
I'm new to dodges and had a couple questions. was going to buy a new cab-chassis 3500 tradesman. can u change the instrument cluster out to get the upgraded one where it gives all the info.it would have to 3.0 radio. or do I need to just purchase a SLT.
 

cptwing

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2014
Posts
1,446
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Location
The Soviet State of Connecticut
Ram Year
2014 3500 ST DRW REG CAB
Engine
6.4l Hemi
Having purchased a 3500 tradesman with the RA1 radio, the cheap cluster, no overhead console etc. I can tell you, yes you can change the cluster, the radio, add the overhead console etc. But to be honest I wish I had just gotten a higher trim with these options to start with. Some of the mods were PNP some required extensive research, fabrication of harness that were not present in the truck and in many cases not avail for purchase, not to mention the cost. The thing I am sure about is I would have been better off just getting these items in the truck to start with and I the end it is still a tradesman.

Here are the things I have been able to do;
Upgrade to 8.4AN nav radio
Add overhead console with home link
Upgrade sun visors to lighted vanity ones
Add OEM backup camera
Add additional upper glovebox
Upgrade third brake light to LED cargo camera
Upgrade gauge cluster to 7" premium
Add underhood light (tradesman do no come with them)
Add footwell lights (tradesman do no come with them)
Upgrade to leather steering wheel, cannot hook up heating element though
Add steering wheel audio control buttons

Here are some things I want to do but are either too much money or just cant be done;
Add OEM heated and cooled power seats
Get the heated wheel to work
Upgrade tow mirrors to OEM power fold
Register my 8.4 with uconnect
Add the OEM aux switch panel
Add OEM fog lights
Add OEM front and rear park sense system
I'm sure ther are a few other things as well but these are the biggies
 
Last edited:

ogutierr66

Junior Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2015
Posts
11
Reaction score
11
Ram Year
2016
Engine
Diesel
Having purchased a 3500 tradesman with the RA1 radio, the cheap cluster, no overhead console etc. I can tell you, yes you can change the cluster, the radio, add the overhead console etc. But to be honest I wish I had just gotten a higher trim with these options to start with. Some of the mods were PNP some required extensive research, fabrication of harness that were not present in the truck and in many cases not avail for purchase, not to mention the cost. The thing I am sure about is I would have been better off just getting these items in the truck to start with and I the end it is still a tradesman.

Here are the things I have been able to do;
Upgrade to 8.4AN nav radio
Add overhead console with home link
Upgrade sun visors to lighted vanity ones
Add OEM backup camera
Add additional upper glovebox
Upgrade third brake light to LED cargo camera
Upgrade gauge cluster to 7" premium
Add underhood light (tradesman do no come with them)
Add footwell lights (tradesman do no come with them)
Upgrade to leather steering wheel, cannot hook up heating element though
Add steering wheel audio control buttons

Here are some things I want to do but are either too much money or just cant be done;
Add OEM heated and cooled power seats
Get the heated wheel to work
Upgrade tow mirrors to OEM power fold
Register my 8.4 with uconnect
Add the OEM aux switch panel
Add OEM fog lights
Add OEM front and rear park sense system
I'm sure ther are a few other things as well but these are the biggies
Tell me about it. I am in the same boat rowing up stream. It been a challenge however there is some satisfaction in getting what we can done through all the info on this forum. Many thanks to you!

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk
 
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hardknocks

Junior Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2016
Posts
15
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Ram Year
2016
Engine
cummins
thankss for the reply. i will probably order what i want then.
 

Express Man

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2015
Posts
349
Reaction score
82
Ram Year
2014
Engine
5.7 Hemi
I agree if you can afford it get the vehicle that already has the option. Some of these installs can be a bit frustrating.
 

cash4acres

4lb pompano
Joined
Mar 8, 2016
Posts
154
Reaction score
71
Location
89041
Ram Year
2015
Engine
6.7L,660ftLbs=G56 Manual 6 speed
1st post! Paid $30k for a 2015 2500 Tradesman Quad Cab Diesel 4x4 with 28k miles. Was that a good price? 37% off window sticker....
 

RamblinRod

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2016
Posts
127
Reaction score
42
Location
Crawford, CO
Ram Year
2016 Ram 2500 CC LB 4x4
Engine
6.7 Cummins
Having purchased a 3500 tradesman with the RA1 radio, the cheap cluster, no overhead console etc. I can tell you, yes you can change the cluster, the radio, add the overhead console etc. But to be honest I wish I had just gotten a higher trim with these options to start with. Some of the mods were PNP some required extensive research, fabrication of harness that were not present in the truck and in many cases not avail for purchase, not to mention the cost. The thing I am sure about is I would have been better off just getting these items in the truck to start with and I the end it is still a tradesman.

Here are the things I have been able to do;
Upgrade to 8.4AN nav radio
Add overhead console with home link
Upgrade sun visors to lighted vanity ones
Add OEM backup camera
Add additional upper glovebox
Upgrade third brake light to LED cargo camera
Upgrade gauge cluster to 7" premium
Add underhood light (tradesman do no come with them)
Add footwell lights (tradesman do no come with them)
Upgrade to leather steering wheel, cannot hook up heating element though
Add steering wheel audio control buttons

Here are some things I want to do but are either too much money or just cant be done;
Add OEM heated and cooled power seats
Get the heated wheel to work
Upgrade tow mirrors to OEM power fold
Register my 8.4 with uconnect
Add the OEM aux switch panel
Add OEM fog lights
Add OEM front and rear park sense system
I'm sure ther are a few other things as well but these are the biggies
I have the rear park sense system in my Tradesman but couldn't get the front. Is that an item that's impossible to add, or just too expensive. I know I would need a different bumper but don't know what else might be involved. I also wish I had just ordered an SLT, somehow that was a trim level I overlooked when ordering.
 
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